Thursday, 16 May 2013

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

"To prepare for my latest project at Rodellar in Spain I had to follow a tough nutritional program. The climb is an overhanging '8c' sport route, which is a grade harder than I've achieved before at this style of climbing. In order to do it I needed to lose half a stone in weight during a two week period, whilst still training and maintaining strength. Mule bars may not be designed specifically as a product for weight loss, but I found that they were instrumental in helping me to achieve my goal. My diet involved cutting out all high-carb foods such as bread, rice and pasta, and replacing them with salad and green veg. I upped the level of protein and kept fat pretty low. Needless to say, I felt pretty hungry, but I found that a Mule energy bar would get me through my work-outs and was a healthier and more functional alternative to 'comfort eating' with the usual cakes or flapjacks. Post training, a Mule recovery bar was essential to stop me from burning out, seeing as my system was running on empty. This strategy proved to be really successful and I noticed my power levels shooting up, as soon as the weight dropped off and this filled me with confidence for achieving the route. Of course, I should probably have allowed more time to lose the weight, but for various reasons it didn't work out that way and I needed to get in shape fast. "

Tuesday, 14 May 2013

“Linking cycling and fair trade products is a natural extension of what we do. Cycling is great exercise for children and adults alike, improving their health and also ensuring a cleaner local environment. Any reductions in CO2 emissions we make using our bikes can also contribute to combating global climate change, one of the most serious threats to people in developing counties. And these fantastic fair trade bike products ensure that third world producers get a fair price and enable them to provide education and health care for their families, so a real win win.

ED’s Cycle Co-op, a community based social enterprise to promote cycling to children and adults in East Dunbartonshire, it has developed ED’s Cycle Fair in partnership with the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, the Fairtrade Foundation and East Dunbartonshire Council. Bishopbriggs primary schools have some of the highest rates of children cycling to school in Scotland.

ED’s Cycle Fair, will be the world’s first fair trade cycle festival, showcasing plenty Fairtrade products and suppliers. It will begin on Sunday 16th June, the start of a week long celebration of cycling that will include activities for all ages and abilities across the north of Glasgow: